Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Rustic Christmas

Good morning!

I'm sharing two cards over at the Uniko blog today, here, and I decided to dig out an "oldie but goodie" stamp set for these, Rustic Christmas.  I just love the perfect little tree in this set so have kept these cards clean and simple so it takes centre stage.

You can find all the information regarding the steps taken to make these cards over on my Uniko post.

First up, I've tried to create a northern lights sky as my backdrop...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Rustic Christmas
• Ink: Distress Ink - Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Picked Raspberry, Black Soot, Chipped Sapphire; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Brutus Monroe - Alabaster
• Accents: Sakura - White Gelly Roll 10

My second project is another one layer card, again, super simple...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Rustic Christmas
• Ink: Versa Color - Magenta, Violet, Turquoise, Evergreen; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Clear Gloss
• Accent: Doodlebug - Sprinkles: Graduation Assortment

I hope this gives you some inspiration and encourages you to have a rummage through your stash to see what older stamp sets you have that could be inked up.  Thanks for taking the time to visit and I wish you a lovely Wednesday.

Uniko October 2023 Release in Review, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & Giveaway

Happy Saturday!

Over at Uniko today we have a Release in Review post for the new October 2023 products.  It took a while for the goodies to reach the Design Team so we weren't able to make inspiration projects in time for the introductions at the start of the month.

Bev is holding another blog hop and giveaway, so if you hop along and comment on all the Brand Ambassadors' posts (links over on the main post) you are in with a chance of winning a £20 eGift Card.

Ok, I'll get straight to it with my projects.

For this card I paired some of the new goodies with the Natures Treasures II Stencil...

I wanted to stamp some of the small leaf images inside the leaf stencil so I used a tool for this card that I've not used for years...my light box!!  To make it easier to stamp within the stencil I began by taping the stencil to the panel and then using an embossing tool from the back of the panel to trace around the shape, thereby pushing the cardstock forward so it was raised on the front and more in line with the edges of the stencil.  I grabbed one of my blending brushes and used the residual green ink from one of my previous projects to create the pale green background, and then proceeded to stamp the small leaf images from the new Autumn Serenade Clear Stamp Set.  The 'thanks' is also from this set and the 'for all you do' is from the new Big & Bold - Thank/s/ful Clear Stamp Set.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Autumn Serenade, Big & Bold Thank/s/ful
• Stencil: Uniko - Natures Treasures II
• Ink: Altenew - Autumn Blaze, Olive, Mocha, Sea Forest, Marshland; Versafine Clair - Fallen Leaves
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Scalloped Resctangles

Next up is a card using the beautiful Remembrance Clear Stamp set...

The poppy images in this set are just beautiful as they are so I just kept this card super simple.  Just stamped and coloured with Copics.  I chose to go with a blush pink for the petals, I think the pink and peach varieties are stunning.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Remembrance
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; VersaMagic - Pink Grapefruit
• Coloured with Copic Markers
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Double Stitched Rectangles

Next up is the new addition to the Big & Bold series...Big & Bold Thank/s/ful. 

I began by stamping the wreath from the Rustic Wreath Clear Stamp set, also stamped the berries, and then the tiny leaf from the Autumn Serenade Clear Stamp set.  I stamped the 'thank' and the 's', first in grey ink for a slight shadow, then shifted my card slightly before stamping in black.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Big & Bold Thank/s/ful, Rustic Wreath, Autumn Serenade
• Ink: Altenew - Forest Glades, Moss, Crimson, Silver Lake; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

And finally, I have two cards using the Framed: Snowflakes Clear Stamp set...

I began using one of the trees from the Christmas Pop Trio Stencil and ink blended using Cracked Pistachio Distress ink.  I then used just a section of the large stamp from the Framed Snowflakes set to stamp the background within the stencil.  I completed the card with a sentiment from the Pattern Building Christmas Tree Clear Stamp set and added some gems and a star from my stash.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Framed Snowflakes, Pattern Building Christmas Tree
• Stencil: Uniko - Christmas Pop Trio
• Ink: Distress Ink - Cracked Pistachio; Altenew - Hydrangea; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Scalloped Rectangles

And I used the Framed Snowflakes again here, paired with a sentiment from the Stunning Snowflakes Clear Stamp Set...

Revisiting an old design layout here.  I used low tack masking tape to create the horizontal mask.  I ink blended using Saltwater Taffy Distress Oxide ink, blending it out in both directions.  I then used the individual snowflakes that come with the Framed Snowflakes stamp set and inked these along the edges of the mask in various colours of pigment ink.  I removed the mask and added a sentiment from the Stunning Snowflakes set and finished with some silver glitter snowflake gems, sparkle was required!

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Framed Snowflakes, Stunning Snowflakes
• Ink: Distress Oxide - Saltwater Taffy, Versa Color - Mint, Lagoon Blue, Altantic, Peony, Petal Pink; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Gems from stash

I hope you enjoy taking a look at all the inspiration from the team, and if you're in the UK, enjoy the extra hour in bed tomorrow!

Uniko October New Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop and Giveaway

Good morning!

It's new release day over at Uniko and if you follow the Uniko blog you'll have seen the introductions from Bev throughout this week.

The release will be available to purchase from the Uniko website from this evening at 9pm BST.

There are some great new stamps in this release.  First up is the latest addition to the Framed series: Framed - Snowflakes

Here's the card I made using this set...

Here I used a panel of watercolour paper and heat embossed in white the main frame and a couple of the separate snowflakes.  I used the wet on wet technique, adding water within the confines of the frame and then adding colour from a variety of pink, blue and purple Zig markers.  Once dry I trimmed the panel down and adhered it to a card base.  The sentiment, from the oldie but goodie Stunning Snowflakes set was heat embossed on vellum and wrapped around a strip of pink cardstock.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Framed Snowflakes, Stunning Snowflakes
• Ink: VersaMark; Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White

Next up is a beautiful new stamp set called Autumn Serenade, a new addition to the "Serenade" series...

Here's my make using this one...

I began by stamping the main swirl image and heat embossing in gold.  I then masked off a vertical section and ink blended with four shades of Distress Oxide.  The stamped sentiment finished this one.

I just love the shine of the gold with the chalky finish of the oxides. Just remember to give the embossed parts a quick buff with a soft cloth to bring the shine back after inking.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Autumn Serenade
• Ink: VersaMark; Distress Oxide - Lumberjack Plaid, Vintage Photo, Carved Pumpkin, Pine Needles; Versafine Clair - Fallen Leaves
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Gold Rich

Bev has now added poppies to her floral collection.  Introducing, Remembrance...

And here's my card...

I stamped the image on some watercolour paper and then, after not using them for ages, decided to add colour with my Brushos.  I carefully sprinkled a teeny amount of the red and spritzed with a water mister.  I then did the same with two shades of green.  Once the panel was completely dry I die cut with a scalloped rectangle and stamped the sentiment before adhering to a card base.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Remembrance
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Brushos - Brilliant Red, Emerald Green, Leaf Green
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Scalloped Rectangles

There is also a new addition to the BIG & BOLD series, with BIG & BOLD Thank/s/ful.  Such a useful set and this can also be paired with BIG & BOLD You.

The set also features a two step leaf in both solid and outline form along with a variety of accent sentiments.  The leaf design also co-ordinates with those in the Autumn Serenade set.

Unfortunately, I don't have a sample card to share for this set yet.

Bev will be selecting one lucky winner to win the entire release.  All you need to do is leave some comments over at the main Uniko blog post, here, as well as comments on the Brand Ambassadors' blog posts (linked within that post) and/or social media.  You have until midnight on Saturday 14th October 2023 BST, good luck!

I think you'll agree that Bev has smashed it once again with these new products.

Happy Saturday, I hope you enjoy taking a look at all the inspiration from the team.

Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Autumn Vibes

Hi there

I'm over on the Uniko blog today, here, with a trio of cards with an autumnal theme.  I've used the same little batch of ink colours on all of these cards.

You can find a step by step description of each make over on the Uniko blog post.

First up, I've used one of the Background Blocks stamp sets, Layered Modern Floral...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Background Blocks Layered Modern Floral, Simply Said
• Ink: Altenew - Sunkissed, Orange Cream, Autumn Blaze, Sea Forest, Marshland, Espresso
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Scalloped Rectangles

My second project is a one layer card using the Beautiful Blooms III stamp set...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Beautiful Blooms III, Organic Wishes
• Ink: Altenew - Fired Brick, Autumn Blaze, Orange Cream, Sunkissed, Mangrove Root, Sea Forest, Marshland, Espresso

And for my final card, I've revisited a layout/design I used to use a lot, using the Organic Wishes set...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Organic Wishes
• Ink: VersaMark; Altenew - Sunkissed, Autumn Blaze, Sea Forest, Mangrove Root; Versafine Clair - Fallen Leaves
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Double Stitched Rectangles

Thanks for taking a look, have a lovely Wednesday!

 

Uniko Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Fantastic Foliage

Good morning

I'm over on the Uniko blog, here, today with some Brand Ambassador Inspiration and I have two cards for you, both using different Uniko foliage sets, Framed - Floral Vines and the Large Background Sketched Foliage stamp.

You can find full details of how these were made over on the Uniko blog post.

Card 1...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Framed - Floral Vines, Birthday Wishes
• Ink: Distress Ink - Antique Linen (initial stamping prior to embossing); VersaMark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Coloured with Copic Markers
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Opaque Bright White
• Cardstock from stash

Card 2...

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Large Background Sketched Foliage, Simply Said
• Ink: Distress Oxide - Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, VersaMark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Clear Gloss
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Double Stitched Rectangles

Thanks for popping by today.  I have a little time off work next week so I may be back sooner with more inspiration for you.

 

Uniko July/August 2023 Reveal, Release, Brand Ambassador Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Good morning!

It's release day over at Uniko and I'm here to reveal the whole release and share another card.

Here's the final card I made...

You may be wondering what stamp I used to create this tree.  Well, the diamond image is one of the smaller decorative elements from the Mid Century Modern Baubles stamp set which was introduced yesterday, as is the sentiment.  And the star is from the Mid Century Modern Christmas set.  I used my trusty Misti to get straight and lined up and used different shades of green.  I added some smooth gems as the tree baubles.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Mid Century Modern Baubles, Mid Century Modern Christmas
• Ink: Altenew - Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Moss, Evergreen, Warm Sunshine; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Gemstones from stash

So, now to reveal the new products in full.

First we have the large Mid Century Modern Wreath Builder set...

And a smaller additions set, Mid Century Modern Christmas...

And another large set, Mid Century Modern Baubles...

And the new addition to the Art Deco series, Background Blocks Arts Decoratifs Christmas...

A great new sentiment set, Everyday Family...

And finally,  the first "Ink and Flip" stencil, Christmas Star...

I think you'll agree that Bev has smashed it when designing these new products.

There is even more project inspiration from the team over at the main Uniko blog, here.  And, by commenting on the blog hop posts you're in with a chance of winning the entire release!  Just visit each of the Brand Ambassadors linked over at the Uniko post.  Good luck!

Happy viewing, hopping and no doubt, shopping!

Uniko July/August 2023 Release - Introducing...Mid Century Modern Baubles

Good morning

Another introduction for you today from the upcoming release at Uniko.

And Bev has worked her magic and designed another set to add to the Mid Century Modern series...this time it's Baubles!  Such a great set with lots of elements to create numerous bauble designs and lots of sentiments too in a fabulous retro mid century modern font.

Here's my first card, and I went super CAS with this one...

I began by stamping the main bauble outline and then coloured it in using a blush pink Copic marker.  I then stamped the remaining elements, finishing with the bauble topper and sentiment embossed in gold. 

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Mid Century Modern Baubles
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Altenew - Velvet; VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Gold Rich
• Coloured with Copic marker

And for my second card I used simple stamping...

I chose a die cut panel of textured cardstock in a neutral shade and simply stamped lots of elements from the set.  I tried to use a mid century modern colour palette and misaligned the bow on purpose on these cards to highlight the solid and linear elements.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko - Mid Century Modern Baubles
• Ink: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Altenew - Velvet, Lagoon, Desert Night
• Die: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Double Stitched Rectangles

There's lots more to see over at the main Uniko blog, here.

The new products will be available to purchase from the Uniko website tomorrow.  I'll be back with the full reveal in the morning.

Uniko July/August 2023 Release - Introducing...Background Blocks Arts Decoratifs Christmas & Everyday Family

Good morning

Two more new products to introduce today from the latest Uniko release.

There is a great little festive addition to Art Deco series in the shape of a new Background Block.  And Bev has designed another stamp set to add to the Everyday Sentiments collection - Everyday Family, a really useful set for relatives galore. 

Here is the background block in action...

I knew that I wanted to stamp this great design onto some kind of patterned paper or vellum but I was struggling to decide what to use.  Then I stumbled across this green vellum in a vellum pad I forgot I had bought and it had the perfect Art Deco style pattern so that was my starting point.  I stamped the block and then heat embossed it in copper.  I then coloured the trees and the stars on the reverse of the vellum using Copics.  I then created the copper frame by die cutting with two stitched rectangle dies and then mounted the frame and vellum on fun foam.  I chose to leave this one without a sentiment as it had a lot going on.

Materials used:

• Stamp: Uniko - Background Blocks Arts Decoratifs Christmas
• Ink: VersaMark
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Copper
• Dies: Create a Smile - Cool Cuts Double Stitched Rectangles
• Vellum: Hobbycraft - Pastels Vellum Paper Pad
• Coloured with Copics
• Copper cardstock from stash

And for my second card I used the new Everyday Family stamp set combined with the new Background Block, and the seasonal sentiment from a set we will be introducing tomorrow...

I chose to do the emboss resist technique here using gold embossing powder and Distress Oxide inks.  I also did some colour lifting on the stars, by adding water and blotting away the colour.  I added some random scored lines on the card base to continue the Art Deco theme.  The sentiments from the two sets were simply stamped and mounted on sentiment strips.

Materials used:

• Stamps: Uniko: - Background Blocks Arts Decoratifs Christmas, Everyday Family, Mid Century Modern Baubles
• Ink: Distress Oxide - Peacock Feathers, Chipped Sapphire; VersaMark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
• Embossing Powder: Wow! - Metallic Gold Rich

The team are over on the main Uniko blog, here, sharing more projects using these new sets.

I'll be back with the last of the introductions tomorrow, I hope you'll stop by to take a look.